Epoxy longevity....

tod osier

tod osier

Well-known member
Gold Sponsor
I've always used Raka stuff. I bought a 1 gallon and a half kit a couple years ago and the resin crystalized. I've had Raka resin for years and years before it got crystals in it and it never completely crystalized, this happened pretty quick.

I just bought a new gallon ($$$$) suggestions keeping it in the long term. It is in the shop, so it does get pretty cool at times, I might keep it next to the boiler in the basement.
 
Tod

I've had RAKA hardener yellow, but never had any of their product crystalize. Some of the epoxy I pumped this week is a decade or so old. I too just bought more from them. I wonder if the formulation has changed over the years. I think the common method to de-crystallize epoxy is to submerge the container in warm water. If you have a deep shop sink you might fill it with hot tap water and dunk the RAKA jug in it until it warms enough to dissolve the crystals.

Eric
 
Tod~


I don't think I've ever kept resin or hardener for more than several months - so my experience is of limited help for your question. I've been using U S Composites 635 for a decade or so - no crystallizing thus far, but I'm always cycling through. And, I keep it my my heated shop through the Winter.



It seems I have read, though, that one needs to consider shelf life on any epoxy.


All the best,


SJS





 
I have original hardener that is yellow, but still works well. This is the second resin (part A) that crystalized. I bet it is storage temp. In the first batch I found that the crystals when in liquid will dissolve with temperature, but this newer gallon is 100% solid crystals (like a solid chunk) and I didn't want to risk it.
 
Everything I've read from manufacturers is you can "thaw" out epoxy that has crystallized with no loss of performance.

Eric
 
[quote Eric Patterson]Everything I've read from manufacturers is you can "thaw" out epoxy that has crystallized with no loss of performance.

Eric[/quote]

Wish I had read up on it before ordering. I'll give it a try. THANKS!
 
I put the jugs in a crockpot filled with water, on low and it pumps much easier. If it has crystalized, it will go back into solution.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top